Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Insecure Writer's Support Group

WORD FOR THIS POST:


Oscillate (v): 1. to swing or move to and fro, as a pendulum does. 2. to vary or vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions, conditions, etc.: He oscillates regularly between elation and despair.
A big Thanks to Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting each first Wednesday of every month, the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG), where writers post their doubts, concerns and insecurities without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Others offer assistance and guidance in the comments.

For a full list of participants click here and hop on over to offer words of encouragement and/or assistance.


It's rare to find an individual without an insecurity. Most common ones for writers vary from fears of rejection and publication equally, to ones of bad reviews and inability to reach goals. Time management, finances, and other obligations always seem to stand in the way.

I've been thinking about my insecurity for this month for over a week and cannot come up with one. I think I've exhausted most of them over the past few months. But today, in turn, I'd like to offer encouragement to those who struggle.

Take it one day at a time.

Continue to perfect your craft.

Learn from others.

Give more than you receive.

Don't give up.

Olympians don't get to where they are if they don't take this to their heart. They are one of the most determined people I had ever seen. I get extremely emotional watching the Olympics because of their dedication and sacrifice to perfect their abilities. As a writer, I look up to them and pray I may achieve a fraction in my writing career what they have in their lifetime.

Do you have a mantra you follow to keep you on the right path? What is your insecurity this month?





18 comments:

Annalisa Crawford said...

Great advice, but I think Don't Give Up is probably the best one - I wonder how many people could have published a book, been an Olympian, got down to their ideal dress size, but gave up two months too early.

Ciara said...

Great advice. I still subscribe to the Pay it Forward mantra. Focus on others and your life will always be better.

Unknown said...

Great advice - lovely to see some reassuring words today when we're all whinging away LOL. Learn from others and perfect your craft...that'll be my motto from now on.

Kyra Lennon said...

I very much needed your words of wisdom today - so thank you! <3

Hope Roberson said...

Those are five excellent things to remember! And I'm surprised and pleased with how important #4 is in the blogging community. It's almost hard to do since as soon as you do something to help another writer, they're right there trying to help you :)

Unknown said...

Great words encouragement. I'm drawing inspiration from these athletes as well. They astound me with the reserves of strength and will they seem to find. I need to have that more in my own writing as finances and time management are huge obstacles that plague me.

Cate Masters said...

Wonderful advice, Ciara. Always keep learning and reaching!

Cherie Reich said...

That "Take it one day at a time" is one I'm really working on. I want to do everything now, but there's not enough time in the day to do that, so I have to just take it one day at a time and know I did my best to get done what I needed to get done and everything else can wait until tomorrow, if I don't finish it all today.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Thanks for the encouragement! These are all great pieces of advice. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We need encouragement as well! Give more than you receive - that is the best.

LynnRush said...

LOVE THIS!!! I always say WRITE ON. Because that's what we have to keep doing. That's what athletes keep doing......well, exercise on! LOL. Great post.

klahanie said...

Greetings Marta,
When feelings of insecurity overwhelm us, the encouragement and support within the sharing, caring blogging community can be of much therapeutic value.
Indeed, as you note, never give up. Pursue your dreams and do your best to make those dreams a wondrous reality.
My insecurity is fear of success.
All the best, my friend and happy writing.
In kindness, Gary

Anonymous said...

My mantra is to pay it forward. I believe if you give by helping people, then eventually good things happen to you. Simple, yet effective.

Anonymous said...

Great post, Marta!

And, I think my mantra is probably, "You're a professional writer. So, act like it. Write every day, no matter what."

I didn't save where I got it from -- I kept it just for me, obviously -- but I think it's from the "War of Art," a great book by the way.

Sherry Ellis said...

Those are all great mantras! I like, "Don't give up," and "Learn from others."

Callie Leuck said...

Don't give up! Indeed. Never give up! Which is sort of tied into "Take it one day at a time." Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

Melissa said...

Right now I'm frustrated over the kids being out of school and that not leaving me any quiet time to write. That frustration is overshadowing most of my insecurities. LOL I'll probably dive headfirst into doubt, though, once school starts and I start writing again. LOL

Great post! :)

IWSG #179 (At least until Alex culls the list again. :P)

Arlee Bird said...

Good advice. Haven't considered a mantra yet. Maybe I should use the old pro juggler's adage of "If you drop one just pick it up and keep juggling like it was all part of the act."


Lee
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